About a month ago I was contacted by a company that had found my resume on monster. They were interested in me joining their networking team as a network engineer. I had a technical test that I guess they use to screen out people that do not answer them correctly. The questions ranged from packet analysis to how I perform under pressure.

After the initial screening the HR department wanted to schedule a phone interview. During that interview I was asked typical HR questions such as “What do you like to do outside of the workplace?” or “What are some of your future goals?”. I answered all the questions honestly and felt like I aced it after we had gotten off the phone. A few hours later I received an email that said they wanted me to come in and have an in-person interview with a few members of the network team. I was very excited but at the same time nervous for what was to come.

Upon interview day I woke up extra early to do some last minute CCNA review (I was expecting to get drilled with cisco questions, since the companies infrastructure is all cisco). I got changed into my new suit; had a big breakfast and was on my way. During the drive to the interview my mind was racing so I played some motivational videos that always get me pumped up and ready to go. I arrived about 15 minutes early and met first with the HR person I had spoken to on the phone with. She told me that she had another written technical test for me, this one consisting of more cisco CLI based questions. Upon finishing the test I felt more then ready to meet the engineers. I knew I had aced the written test questions so my nerves calmed down a bit.

I was then taken to a room to meet with two engineers and the HR person. The interview was very relaxed and I feel like I could have talked with the engineers for hours. The HR person would chime in every so often and ask those typical HR questions again. All in all I feel the interview went great. After the interview was over the HR person took me to an office and told me that the engineers liked me a lot and that she would like to schedule another in-person interview so I can meet the CIO and Director. I was estatic.

The following week I met with the CIO and Director. The interview again was very relaxed and seemed just like a regular conversation. They were both very nice just like everyone else I had previously met at this company. After my interview I bid my farewell to the CIO and the Director took me on a tour of the IT department. The building wasn’t in the nicest shape but like many IT departments they aren’t. However…upon entering the data center….I was BLOWN away! Everything was on such a bigger scale then what I am used too at my current job. Their was even two Nexus 7010s still on pallets that are waiting to be configured for the data center relocation project. I couldn’t believe I could potentially work here! After about a 30 minute tour the Director walked me out.

Upon arriving home I sent out thank you note emails to the HR person, CIO, and Director. A few days later I received an email that I would have an offer the following week. I almost yelled out in joy when I read the email! I can’t believe it’s finally happening! I am going to be a Network Engineer!

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